Process of dyeing yarns and the like



1. A. GRUN'DY. PROCESS 0F DYEING YARNS` AND TH LIKE.

APPLICATION' FVILED AUG.1I,1921.

Lw l Patented M20, w21.,

I IO zo JAMES A. GRUNDY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR `T0JOHN.

BROMLEY c SONS, INCORPORATED, CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A

PROCESS OF DYEING YARNS AND THE LIKE.

il,etOO,675'.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented DQBC. 2Q, 1921.

Application led August 11, 1921. Serial No. 491,343.

and the like and Apparatus Thereof, of`

which the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming apart hereof.

My invention relates to the process or method of dyeing yarns and thelike, and is inclusive of improvements in apparatus designed forycarrying out the same and for the production of the best effectstherefrom.

The successful dyeing of yarns requires not only a uniform' color but auniform shade of color, throughout the skein and throughout the seriesof skeins suspended in the dye vat at each operation. The rstimpregnation of the yarn by the dye (when the yarn carrying frame islowered into the dye vat) imparts to it, initially, the shade effect ofthe color used, which operates to control the ultimate shade effect'produced by the complete dyeing operation which, for most yarns and mostcolors, is about a. half hour. If the color impregnation is not unif`rmthroughout the skein, which can be e ect-ed only by a uniform densitythroughout, of the dye liquor, not only initially but maintained duringthe exposure of the oods therein, the ultimate effect is a lack ofuniformity of shade of color, and is v irremediable. These defects arecommon in most, if not all, present dyeing methods.

My invention'consists, primarily, in the discovery, after repeatedpractical tests, hat the expansive force of. compressed air, ofapproximately the minimum degree of compression and appropriatelyapplied, as hereinafter stated, will be effective to overcome thesedefects, by so thoroughly mixing, by agitation, the dye liquor, afterheating it, as to produce a uniform density of it and then to produce arapid and effective circulation of it to maintain such uniformity duringthe dyeing operation.

My invention also includes an improved machine for effectively carryingout this process, such a machine comprising a tank provided withoppositely-disposed partition walls arranged to form an interiorcentrallydisposed vat with chamber spaces at opposite ends, a perforatedbase therefor supported by said partition walls, and in spaced relationto the base of the tank, a system of valve-controlled piping forcompressed air having perforated sections arranged within the chambersformed between the spaced walls of said vat and tank, and a valvecontrolled system of steam pipe arranged within the tank and adapted topreliminarily heat the liquor therein.

The dye liquor commonly used is a solution in water 0f dye material,which is ordinarily difficult to dissolve and rarely is completelydissolved and then only under the action of a high temperature,approximately 2120 F., plus thorough agitation, followed by continuouscirculation of the dye liquor to overcome a tendency to sedimentation,and hence to produce initially and to maintain thereafter a uniformdensity of the Idye liquor during the dyeing operation.

An agitation of the liquor or any upward current imparted to it, bysteam or by air at atmospheric pressure admitted to the liquor in thetank, will not be sufficient nor effective for the purpose stated, as Ihave repeatedly demonstrated by practical tests in the factory dyehouse; but when compressed air of a pressure varying from 20 lbs. as aminimum up to approximately 30 lbs. to the square inch above normal oratmospheric pressure (depending upon the size of the tank and consequentvolume of dye liquor to be acted on) is appropriately admitted to andreleased within the whole body of dye liquor in the tank, immediatelypreceding the lowering of the yarn carrier into the liquor, theexpansive effect of the released compressed air will be practicallyeffective to thoroughly agitate the solution and pro! duce a; uniformdensity of it, driving it to every part of the skein and'series ofskeins, and effecting a first and governing color or \shade impregnationuniform throughout the skein, but this uniformity of density of theliquor must be maintained by thecontinued admission of compressed airfrom suitable perforated pipes at each chambered end of the tank,discharging upwardly, and causing a rapid circulation of the dye-liquorfrom each end of the tank toward the center and over, into and downwardthrough the perforated base of the dye vat, and completing the initialsetting of the shade or out my process to the best advantage, Figure 1is a plan view of the machine, with a part color. This use ofpcompressedair, so applied, and this stated result of its use, are

new and of my invention, and practicallyl successful. l

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated a machineconstructed to carry of the perforated base plate of the interior vatbroken away to show the piping systems arranged below and adjacent tothe same.

-Fig, 2 is a longitudinal section thereof, and Fig. 3 is a transversesection lookingrto .'the left in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring now to said drawings, the tank or container is preferablyconstructed of a widthapproximately one third of its length, and variesfrom six feet to double that, in length. It is shown rectangular inform, composed ofslong side walls and relatively narrow end walls andbase, all indicated by the numeral 10. Within the tank and near each endare provided oppositely-disposed lpartition walls, 13, 13, which areless in height than that of the side and end walls of the container,andv these partition walls support a closing base plate 11, which isperforated throughout, as at 11a; this construction forming an interiorvat which is in spaced relation to the tank at both ends and at base andthereby providing a chamlber immediately below the perforated baseplate`of the vat, for the reception of the piping systems hereinafterdescribed, and also chambers 14 and 15 at each end for the reception ofother members of said piping system. `f

The open top of the machine is closed only when it is in operation, byanysuitable lid or cover which necessarily leaves a circulatory passagefrom the tank to the vat over the relatively lower top edge of each ofthe Y TheA circulation can be from each end succespartition wallsforming the latter.

sively. y

'Means to preliminarily heat the liquor to the requisite temperature,consist ofa main supply steam pipe 30, controlled by valve 31, i

and connected by a manifold 32 with a series of perforated pipes, 33arranged parallel with and close to the base' of the tank and bellow theperforated base wall of the inner va v Means to supply compressed airconsistof a system comprising-main supplypipe 40, controlled by valve41, connected witha section comprising a series of horizontallydisposed, perforated pipes 42, shown ar# ranged just above steam pipes33 ,Vand below the perforated base w'all of the vat and extend acrossthe width of the tank. Means shown as pipe 44 governed by a valve 45,A

connectsthe main air supply pipe/10 with a 4lair ofperfprated Pipes 46.and allocated within and near the base of the chambers 44 llint fromthe yarns will tend to clog perforated air pipes, and to overcome this Iand 15 respectively. Pipe 46 is connected with pipe 48, controlled byvalve 49,y and pipe 50 is connected with pipe 52 controlled Y by valve53.

After the first application of compressed air throu h perforated pipes42, upwardly through t e perforated base of the vat, it is equallyimportant to then set up acirculation of the liquid, this being effectedby open'fn the valves which govern the perfo-` rated pipe 46 whichdischarges into compartment 14, drivingthe liquor upward and over theadjacent end wall of the vat and toward the center thereof and thencedownward through the perforated base wall of the vat. .A reversal of thedirection of circulation may then be effected by closing valve 45 andopening the valve 53 and discharging compressed air through theperforated pipe 50 and through the compartment 15 at the opposite end ofthe machine. Sometimes tlie t e supply@ a by-pass 60 and valve 61whereby vthe steam system can be temporarily connected up withg the airsupply system and, by manipulating the approximate valves, the air pipescan be cleaned of obstructions by blowing steam through them.'

The essentials -n the construction and operation' of a dyeingv inachine,as distinguished from a washing machine, are vthat the water in the tankmust be brought to a high temperature, approximately boiling, be-

lfore the dye stuff is thrown into it, otherwise it will not dissolve,nor will anything short of a thorough agitation of the liquor produce anapproximately complete solution,

nor will even that be sufficient to prevent sedimentation and consequentvariations in density, unless the whole body' of dye liquor iskept inconstant circulation. Attempts have frequently been made to dispensewith paddles and other mechanical means to produce agitation andcirculation and to sub `stitute vsteam for that purpose, blown ytheliquor produces a mere stirring up of the saine and in no sense anagitation nor a true circulation effective to produce and maintain acomplete solution, of even density throughout, more especially where'the use of mere jets of normal air without a previous steam heating ofthe liquor is relied upon.

iso

Having thus described my invention, l claim:

1. The process of dyeing yarns and the like which consists in supportingthem in a suitable container of dyeing liquor which has been previouslyheated to a temperature of approximately 212O F., and then effectingsimultaneously a uniform density of the dye liquor and a discharge ofthe same in the region of the suspended yarns, by utilization of theexpansive and propulsive forces of compressed air at a minimum pressureof approximately 20 lbs. to the square inch above normal or atmosphericpressure, delivered Within the body of dye liquor by means o suitablyarranged piping.

2. The process of dyeing yarns and the like which consists in preparinga dyeing solution, in a suitable container, then heating the same toapproximately 212o F. and thenl effecting a uniform density of theliquor and a rapid circulation ofthe same in the region of the yarnssupported in said container, by

the admission to the dye liquor of com- Y pressed air at a minimumvpressure of approximately 20 lbs. to the square inch above normal oratmospheric pressure, delivered to the dye liquor through suitablyarranged piping.

T. M. TUNIS.

